Hair curling systems

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to open hair curlers that may be used with separate hair rollers to create two or more sizes or orientations of curls on the same length of hair. The hair curling systems include a planar body curved around a lateral axis without forming a closed cylinder. The planar body curves to create a cradle in which a complementary hair roller can sit inside. Other examples include an open curler without a distinct cradle that can still accommodate a separate hair roller. When hair is secured around a complementarily configured hair roller which is then secured in the open hair curler, the remaining hair may be curled around the outside of the open hair curler.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to hair curling systems. In particular, hair curling systems with an open curler, that allows use with an additional, smaller diameter roller on the same length of hair.

Known hair curling systems are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, existing hair curling systems do not currently provide a way to produce two or more sized curls on the same strand of hair. Traditionally, they are closed cylinders that do not allow a smaller roller to be held by a cradle within a larger, open roller.

Thus, there exists a need for hair curling systems that improve upon and advance the design of known hair curling systems. Examples of new and useful hair curling systems relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.

Disclosure addressing one or more of the identified existing needs is provided in the detailed description below. Examples of references relevant to hair curling systems include U.S. Patent References: Pat. No. 2,330,128 and patent application Ser. No. 451,285; Pat. No. 2,748,779 and patent application Ser. No. 255,214; Pat. No. 2,731,021 and patent application Ser. No. 168,990). The complete disclosures of the above patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to hair curling systems in which a hair roller may be used with an open hair curler to create two or more sizes or orientations of curls on the same length of hair. The hair curling systems include an open curler with a planar body curved around a lateral axis without forming a closed cylinder. The planar body is further curved to create a cradle in which to secure a complementary hair roller inside an open curler. Other examples include an open curler without a distinct cradle that can still accommodate another hair roller. The open curlers have an inner face and an outer face. The curvature forms a cradle on the inner face or, in other examples, on the outer face where a complementarily configured hair roller may sit. When hair is secured around the complementarily configured hair roller which is then secured in the open hair curler, the remaining hair may be curled around the curved path defined by the outer face of the open hair curler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a hair curling system, depicting an open hair curler.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the open hair curler shown in FIG. 1 depicting the view through the lateral openings.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two of the open hair curlers shown in FIG. 1, depicting a person's hair rolled on them.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the hair curling system shown in FIG. 1, depicting an example of a range of additional sizes of complementary hair rollers.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the hair curling system shown in FIG. 4A depicting a complementary hair roller with a snug fit, as well as depicting the example range of complementary hair rollers shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a complementary roller shown in FIG. 4A, depicting a person's hair rolled on it.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hair curling system shown in FIG. 4A, depicting a person's hair first rolled on a complementary roller and then on the open hair curler.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a second example of a hair curling system, depicting an open hair curler with an alternative cradle orientation.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a third example of a hair curling system, depicting an open hair curler without a distinct cradle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed hair curling systems will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various hair curling systems are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

The disclosed hair curling systems include an open curler, inside of which a separate, complementary roller can sit. A user would roll some of a length of hair on the complementary roller first, and then set that roller in the open curler, and continue rolling the remaining length of hair around the open curler. The open curler can also be used for the whole length of hair, or a series can be nested. When a cradle is present, and depending on which direction the cradle is formed, either by the outer face or the inner face, the user can choose a bob or a flip curl. Using two or more rollers with one nesting inside the next enables the user to create multiple curl sizes and curl orientations, which is not possible with conventional hair rollers.

The roller that sits inside the open curler can be another open curler or a conventional, closed roller. The small hair roller can be removably held in place with conventional hair clips, including duck bill clips or bobby pins or any other suitable device. The open curler includes vent openings, larger than most existing hair rollers, to aid drying wet hair.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, a first example of a hair curling system, hair curling system 100, will now be described. When used with a complementary roller, hair curling system 100 creates smaller or tighter curls at the first end of the hair and then larger or looser curls on the length of hair used with the open curler. The reader will appreciate from the figures and description below that hair curling system 100 addresses shortcomings of conventional hair curling systems.

Hair curling system 100 includes open curler 110 and complementary roller 120. Open curler 110 includes planar body 111, which defines vent openings 116, with inner face 112, outer face 114, first end 124, second end 126, first opening 117, and second opening 119. The longitudinal curve of planar body 111 defines cradle 118 inside open curler 110. Complementary roller 120 sits in cradle 118. Hair can be removably held on open curler 110 and complementary roller 120 using hair clips 122 or any other suitable device.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, and 6, open curler 110 includes planar body 111 that curves around a central axis. Inner face 112 is proximate to the lateral axis around which planar body 111 curves longitudinally. Rather than form a complete, closed circle, planar body 111 curves inward around the lateral axis to define first opening 117. Outer face 114 is the side of planar body 111 opposite the inner face. Planar body 111 also includes second end 126 where the planar body finishes curving and first end 124 at the beginning of the longitudinal curve of planar body 111. It should be understood that planar body 111 is made of a heat and moisture-resistant plastic that can withstand use with wet hair, heat from hair driers, and chemicals commonly used in arranging hair, but any suitable material can be used according to the user's particular needs and desires such as, for example, silicone or stainless steel. Planar body 111 is smooth, but can also be used with nubs or bristles as in conventional rollers.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, and 6, planar body 111 defines vent openings 116, which are holes extending through the planar body. In the present example, the plurality of vent openings 116 collectively define an opening area that is sufficiently large to enhance airflow and moisture transfer through planar body 111 so that heat can transfer to or from hair rolled around the body and so that moisture can similarly escape or reach the hair. It should be understood that planar body 111 can also be used without defining vent openings, or can define a smaller or larger collective opening area by, for example, choosing a different number, size, shape, or pattern of vent openings. In the present example, vent openings 116 arranged in a grid pattern, but any suitable pattern of vent openings can be used according to the user's needs and desires.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate cradle 118. Cradle 118 is formed by planar body 111 curving inward around the lateral axis before forming a complete cylinder. In the present example, planar body 111 defines first opening 117 as an opening large enough to accept a hair roller with hair to sit in cradle 118, but it should be understood that first opening 117 can be larger or smaller according to the user's needs and desires. Planar body 111 is sufficiently rigid to maintain a spaced relationship between the different portions of inner face 112 when hair is following the curved path defined by outer face 114, which promotes airflow and hair drying within open curler 110, but it should be understood that a more flexible or resilient body and different configuration could be used. Planar body 111 could form a complete circle before spiraling inward and be made from a material flexible enough to allow the user to spread the body apart to make room for hair to run from the complementary roller inside open curler 110 and then around open curler 110. Alternatively, planar body 111 could spiral far enough that second end 126 meets inner face 112 while being flexible enough to allow the user to spread the second end away from the inner face.

As can be seen in FIG. 4B, planar body 111 is flexible enough to allow the user to increase the degree of curvature of open curler 110 and decrease the radius diameter of planar body 111 or, alternatively, decrease the degree of curvature and increase the radius diameter, so that the user may select a tighter or looser curve and modify the curling effects of the open curler. Also because of the flexibility of planar body 111, the user may selectively conform open curler 110 to different diameter sizes of complementary rollers.

As shown in FIG. 1, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, and 6, planar body 111 is flexible but still rigid enough that its longitudinal curve maintains a spacing between different portions of inner face 112 as it curves inwardly. In the present example, second end 126 does not reach inner face 112 and instead defines second opening 119 that is sized to be at least double the outer diameter of complementary roller 120. It should be understood that in other examples, second opening 119 may be smaller or larger, according to the user's particular needs and desires.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, open curler 110 is open at the lateral ends, defining lateral openings 115, and the user may insert complementary roller 120 through those lateral openings. It should be understood that hair in the present example is wrapped around outer face 114 by running from complementary roller 120 through first opening 117, but the user may run hair through lateral openings 115 before wrapping around outer face 114 and, in this way, can be used with a closed curler configured with an inner cradle. Open curler 110 might also be used without lateral openings 115 by inserting complementary roller 120 through first opening 117.

As shown in FIG. 1, cradle 118 extends along the entire width of planar body 111 along the lateral axis of open curler 110. It should be understood that cradle 118 could extend less than the entire width of planar body 111 and still provide support for complementary roller 120, or extend further than the outermost portion of planar body 111. In the present example, cradle 118 has a radial opening dimension and forms a seat for complementary roller 120 on inner face 112, but in other examples the seat could be formed on the outer face. The present example is also sized for complementary roller 120 to selectively seat within cradle 118, as shown in FIG. 4B, but it should be understood that the cradle can be any size, radius, and cross-section including, for example, a smaller or larger radius to seat a smaller- or larger-diameter complementary roller.

As can be seen in FIG. 4B, complementary roller 120 is a hair roller configured to selectively seat within cradle 117 on inner face 112. In the present example, complementary roller 120 is a conventional closed hair roller with an outer roller diameter that is complementarily configured with the radial opening dimension of cradle 118 and configured to selectively seat within cradle 118, but it should be understood that any roller, including another open or closed curler complementarily configured with the radial opening dimension of the cradle or any other suitable configuration that will seat within the cradle or otherwise seat within the open curler can be used. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a sample range of complementary rollers.

FIG. 5 illustrates hair rolled around complementary roller 120, which is then placed within cradle 118, and then the remaining length of hair may be wrapped to follow outer face 114 of planar body 111 as shown in FIG. 6. In the present example, complementary roller 120 is the same width as that of planar body 111, but it should be understood that a complementary roller that is wider or more narrow than planar body 111 can also be used, according to the user's particular needs and desires. It should be further understood that open curler 110 can be used without a complementary roller, as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4B shows how cradle 118 can hold complementary roller 120 in place with the resiliency of planar body 111 that is sufficient to press cradle 118 against complementary roller 120, but it should be understood that hair may also or instead be secured to complementary roller 120 and also to planar body 111 using hair clips 122 as shown in FIG. 6. In the present example, hair clips 122 are conventional duck bill clips, but any other suitable means of removably securing hair to a roller or securing complementary roller 122 to planar body 111 may be used such as, for example, bobby pins or hair sticks.

In the present example, as shown in FIG. 4B, the radial opening dimension of cradle 118 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of complementary roller 120 so that the cradle resiliently secures the roller within cradle 118 when the roller is seated within the cradle. Cradle 118 also selectively secures complementary roller 120 with a friction fit, but tabs at lateral openings 115, hair clips 122, or any other suitable means could also be used.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate how a roller with a diameter even substantially smaller or larger than that of cradle 118 may be used. The complementary roller may be held by any suitable means such as, for example, by selecting a higher resilience material for planar body 111 that the user can adapt to the different diameter or by using hair clips 122 configured to removably secure the complementary roller to planar body 111 within cradle 118. By using different diameter sizes of complementary roller, the user can quickly dry hair of varying length, preferably within 30 minutes.

As can be seen in FIG. 4A, the lateral dimension of planar body 111 is substantially identical to the longitudinal dimension of complementary roller 120, but any suitable dimensions may be used. In other examples, the complementary roller's longitudinal dimension may be smaller or larger than the lateral dimension of planar body 111.

Turning attention to FIG. 7, a second example of a hair curling system, hair curling system 200 will now be described. Hair curling system 200 includes many similar or identical features to hair curling system 100. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of hair curling system 200 will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between hair curling system 200 and hair curling system 100 will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the two hair curling systems.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, hair curling system 200 includes open curler 210 that accommodates a complementary hair roller. Open curler 210 includes planar body 211, which defines vent openings 216 and includes inner face 212, outer face 214, first end 224, second end 226, first opening 217, and second opening 219. The longitudinal curve of planar body 211 defines cradle 218 inside open curler 210. A complementary roller sits in cradle 218. Hair can be removably held on open curler 210 and complementary roller 220 using hair clips or any other suitable device, and the complementary roller may be removably attached to cradle 218 using hair clips or any other suitable device.

The parts of hair curling system 200 are identical to those of hair curling system 100 with one difference. Cradle 218 is formed such that complementary roller 220 sits on outer face 214 instead of the inner face, as shown in FIG. 7. By changing the direction of the longitudinal curve of planar body 211 at first opening 217, outer face 214—instead of inner face 212—provides the seat for a complementary roller within cradle 218. This changed orientation allows the user to achieve a flip. Also, hair curling system 100 allows the user to more easily achieve a bob curl than with hair curling system 200. It should be understood that the user may achieve a flip or a bob curl using either system, because a “bob” can be brushed into a “flip”, under certain conditions.

Turning attention to FIG. 8, a third example of a hair curling system, hair curling system 300 will now be described. Hair curling system 300 includes many similar or identical features to hair curling system 100. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of hair curling system 300 will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between hair curling system 300 and hair curling system 100 will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the two hair curling systems.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, hair curling system 300 includes open curler 310 that accommodates a complementary hair roller. Open curler 310 includes planar body 311, which defines vent openings 316 and includes inner face 312, outer face 314, first end 324, second end 326, and first opening 317. The longitudinal curve of planar body 311 does not close to form a cylinder and instead defines first opening 317 that is large enough to accept a complementary roller. Hair can be removably held on open curler 310 and the complementary roller using hair clips or any other suitable device. The complementary roller can be removably attached to open curler 310 using hair clips or any other suitable device.

The parts of hair curling system 300 are identical to those of hair curling system 100 with one difference in that there is no cradle. As shown in FIG. 8, second end 326 stops short of first end 324, defining first opening 317, with only a slight inward curve toward the lateral axis by planar body 311. Other examples may include a slight outward curve away from the lateral axis or no additional curve toward or away from the lateral axis.

The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 

1. A hair curling system for use with a hair roller comprising: a curved curler including a planar body that is longitudinally curved about a lateral axis in a curved configuration, the planar body defining: an inner face proximate to the lateral axis; an outer face opposite the inner face; and wherein at least a portion of he planar body is complementarily configured with the hair roller to selectively receive and support the hair roller; wherein the outer face of the planar body defines a curved path about which hair secured around the hair curler may follow when the hair roller is supported by the curved curler.
 2. The hair curling system of claim 1, wherein: the planar body further defines a cradle proximate to the inner face and extending along the lateral axis; and the cradle is complemetarily configured with the hair roller to selectively receive and support the hair roller within the cradle.
 3. The hair curling system of claim 2, wherein: the cradle has a radial opening dimension; and the hair roller has an outer roller diameter that is complimentarily configured with the radial opening dimension of the cradle.
 4. The hair curling system of claim 3, wherein the planar body is resilient and selected to have a resiliency sufficient to press the cradle against the hair roller when the hair roller is seated within the cradle.
 5. The hair curling system of claim 4, wherein the radial opening dimension of the cradle compliments the outer diameter of the hair roller by being slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the hair to enable the cradle to resiliently secure the hair roller within the cradle when the hair roller is seated within the cradle.
 6. The hair curling system of claim 2, wherein the curved curler has open lateral ends and the roller enters the cradle through one of the open lateral ends.
 7. The hair curling system of clam 1, wherein the planar body defines a plurality of vent openings extending through the planar body between the outer face and the inner face.
 8. The hair curling system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of vent openings collectively define an opening area selected to be sufficiently large to enhance airflow through the planar body to speed drying of hair being curled with the hair curling system.
 9. The hair curling system of claim 1, further comprising a clip configured to secure the hair roller to the curved curler.
 10. The hair curling system of claim 2, wherein the hair roller selectively secures to the cradle via a friction fit.
 11. The hair curling system of claim 1, wherein the planar body is flexible.
 12. The hair curling system of claim 11, wherein the planar body is sufficiently flexible to selectively conform to range of curved configurations between a tight curve and a loose curve to selectively modify the hair curling effects of the curved curler.
 13. The hair curling system of claim 11, wherein the planar body is sufficiently flexible to selectively conform to a range of different hair rollers with different size outer diameters.
 14. The hair curling system of claim 1, wherein: the planar body includes a lateral dimension; the hair roller includes a longitudinal dimension; and the lateral dimension of the planar body is substantially identical to the longitudinal dimension of the hair roller.
 15. The hair curling of claim 1, wherein the planar body is sufficiently rigid to maintain a spaced relationship between different portions of the inner face of the planar body in its longitudinally curved configuration when hair is following the curved path defined by the outer face of the planar body to promote airflow and hair drying within the curved curler.
 16. The hair curling system of claim 1, wherein: the hair roller has an outer roller diameter; the curved curler has a spiral configuration; the rigidity of the planar body and the longitudinal curve of the planar body are selected to maintain a spacing between different portions of the inner face of the planar body in its longitudinally curved, spiral configuration that defines a spiral opening with a radial spiral opening dimension that is at least double the outer roller diameter of the hair roller.
 17. A curved curler for cooperating with a hair roller to curl hair, comprising: a planar body that is longitudinally curved about a lateral axis in a spiral configuration, the planar body defining: an inner face proximate the lateral axis; an outer face opposite the inner face; and wherein the planar body is complementarily configured with the hair roller to selectively receive and support the hair roller proximate to the inner face; wherein the outer face of the planar body defines a curved path about which hair secured around the hair roller may follow when the hair roller is seated in the planar body.
 18. The curved roller of claim 17, wherein the planar body defines a plurality of vent openings extending through the planar body between the outer face and the inner face.
 19. The curved roller of claim 17, wherein the planar body is sufficiently rigid to maintain a spaced relationship between different portions of the inner face of the planar body in its longitudinally curved, spiral configuration when hair is following the curved path defined by the outer face of the planar body to promote airflow and hair drying within the curved roller.
 20. A hair curling system, comprising: a curved roller including a planar body that is longitudinally curved about a lateral axis in a spiral configuration, the planar body defining: an inner face proximate the lateral axis; an outer face opposite the inner face; a plurality of vent openings extending through the planar body between the outer face and the inner face; and a cradle proximate to the inner face of the planar body, the cradle extending along the lateral axis and having a radial opening dimension; and a hair roller having an outer roller diameter that is complementarily configured with the radial opening dimension of the cradle to selectively seat within the cradle; wherein the outer face of the planar body defines a curved path about which hair secured around the hair roller may follow when the hair roller is seated in the cradle wherein the planar body is sufficiently rigid to maintain a spaced relationship between different portions of the inner face of the planar body in its longitudinally curved, spiral configuration when hair is following the curved path defined by the outer face of the planar body to promote airflow and hair drying within the curved curler. 